Forbes most popular candidate in the SNP leadership race with the public

The poll for Channel 4 News gave the Treasury Secretary an eight-point lead over all Scots in the battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.

The poll of more than 1,500 Scottish voters, conducted this week on Monday and Tuesday, was released tonight ahead of the second televised husting.

It showed that almost a third of the public (32 percent) ranked Kate Forbes as the best First Minister of the three potential candidates.

24% of respondents named Mr. Yousaf the best First Minister, Ash Regan 8%.

Mr Yousaf was more popular with young voters and Ms Forbes more popular with the over-55s.

Significantly, the over-55s are the largest cohort among SNP members.

Among SNP voters in the 2021 Holyrood election, one in three (33%) said Mr Yousaf would make the best First Minister, while a further 32% said the same of Mr Forbes.

However, one in four members of the public said none of the contestants would be the best FM.

Today’s 30-minute head-to-head on Channel 4, hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, will feature set issues and challenges between the three leaders of the NHS: the cost of living, independence, the economy, gender and sexual identity, and religious freedoms .

A Savanta poll of SNP members released last week put Mr Yousaf just ahead of Ms Forbes, with 31% backing the health minister, 25% the finance minister and 11% backing former community security minister Ms Regan.